chapter 1

I never realized that getting married to someone could be done in just ten minutes.

Stepping out of the Marriage License Bureau, Aurora Larson stared at the marriage certificate in her hand, still feeling dazed.

So that was it. She was really married—not to her fiancé, Zane Jansen, but to a stranger she had known for less than a week.

"Sorry, Dr. Larson, this mission came up suddenly. Can we hold the wedding a month from now?"

The deep, apologetic voice pulled Aurora's gaze upward.

Under the golden hues of the setting sun, the man's sharp features stood out even more. His bronzed skin lent him a rugged, commanding presence. He carried himself with effortless composure—still as a statue at rest, swift and decisive in motion. The unmistakable poise of a soldier.

That was her husband, Quentin Fletcher.

"It's fine." Aurora nodded understandably. "Your mission comes first."

Quentin's lips curved into a faint smile. Stepping forward, he pulled her in a brief, gentle embrace. "Then, as we agreed, we'll have the wedding in Havenbrook a month from now. Once I complete my mission, I'll come for you."

Before she could react, he was already gone.

Aurora took a deep breath, forcing herself to accept the reality of her marriage. She tucked the certificate into her bag and hailed a cab back to the Jansen residence.

The house was as empty as ever. Ignoring it, she went straight to the primary bedroom and started packing.

She and Zane had been betrothed since childhood, so living in the Jansen residence had always seemed natural. But now that she was married to someone else, she had to leave as soon as possible.

Just as she pulled out a suitcase, a voice came from the doorway.

"Where are you going?"

Aurora looked up to see Zane standing there. He hadn't been home for half a month. His suit jacket was draped over his arm, and he rubbed his temple with a weary expression.

"Aurora, I've been really busy lately. Stop making a fuss about running away from home—I don't have time for this."

There it was again. He had spoken with impatience, as if speaking to her was just another task squeezed into his packed schedule.

She was leaving for good this time, yet he thought she was just making a fuss.

Aurora didn't bother explaining. Lowering her head, she continued folding her clothes. "The hospital is sending me on a business trip to Winterspire soon. I'm just preparing in advance."

Realizing he had misunderstood, Zane's hand stilled slightly against his temple. His expression softened as he said, "It's colder in Winterspire than here. Pack some warm clothes."

"Mmm-hmm."

Watching Aurora rummage through the wardrobe, Zane hesitated before speaking again. "Aurora, I'm bringing Isabelle and her daughter, Ivy, to live here. I should take care of them. You know they have no one in Crestwyn, and they saved my life ... "

Before he could finish, Aurora turned and cut him off. "I don't mind. Go ahead and bring them in."

She was leaving soon. Whoever moved into this house was none of her concern.

Isabelle Rowan and her daughter, Ivy Rowan, were Zane's saviors. In fact, she even saved the entire Jansen Group.

Six months ago, Zane had been on a business trip to a foreign country, Libertana, when he was caught in a terrorist attack and went missing.

Then, just a month ago, he suddenly reappeared at his grandmother's 70th birthday banquet, bringing Isabelle and her daughter with him.

That night, in front of all of Riverwood's elite families, Aurora's "fiancé" held another woman by the waist and introduced her to everyone with the utmost sincerity.

Meanwhile, Aurora—the supposed "future Mrs. Jansen"—became the laughingstock of the Riverwood city.

Later, Zane explained to Aurora that he was merely grateful to Isabelle—grateful for her intelligence and bravery in saving him and for protecting the company's confidential documents.

But Aurora saw it clearly. The way he looked at Isabelle was far from just gratitude. The deep affection in his eyes was real.

Before, she would have fought like a lioness defending her territory to keep Isabelle out of this house.

But now, she wouldn't.

Zane hadn't expected her to agree so readily, and for a moment, surprise flickered in his eyes.

Taking her cooperation as a good sign, his tone softened as he reassured her, "Aurora, don't worry. Once Isabelle settles in Crestwyn and finds a job, she'll move out."

Aurora had no interest in Isabelle's affairs. Instead, she said, "About our engagement—"

But Zane cut her off before she could finish. "The company has been really busy lately. Let's talk about the wedding later."

Aurora wanted to explain. "That's not what I—"

But before she could finish, Zane's phone rang again. The moment he answered, his expression softened.

"Isabelle, what's wrong? Ivy misses me? I'll be there right away!"

He rushed out the door, only remembering Aurora at the last second. "Aurora, make sure the guest room is ready by tomorrow. Isabelle and Ivy are moving in."

A moment later, the door clicked shut, leaving Aurora alone in the quiet, empty room.

She lowered her gaze to the hand she hadn't yet withdrawn. A faint, self-deprecating smile tugged at her lips, her eyes dimming.

"I wasn't talking about getting married. I was talking about breaking off the engagement."

When have things changed? When has Zane stopped having the patience to listen to me?

Now, he always looked at her with impatience as if even speaking to her had become a burden.

Yet, he was not like this in the past...